ONE of music’s biggest names is to become the first artist to perform at a North Yorkshire showground next summer.

Elton John will bring his band to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground on June 5 for a Bank Holiday Tuesday outdoor gig, and tickets were today going on sale.

Another music legend, Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, has confirmed he will perform at the Barbican centre in York in February, the first time the man behind hits like Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance will have played the venue in more than five years.

Elton John’s concert will be staged in the showground’s main ring at the Yorkshire Event Centre, and the Rocket Man himself said: “The first time I played in Yorkshire was in August 1970 at the Yorkshire Jazz, Folk and Blues Festival near Halifax, and anybody who was there will probably remember the terrible weather rather than the music.

“Since then, I’ve played in Leeds and Bradford several times, and last year Scarborough for the first time. But I’ve never played in Harrogate before, so I’m looking forward to my first visit to this famous spa town and people can expect a night of hit songs, dancing and fun, whatever the weather.”

The centre’s managing director, Heather Parry, said: “We are delighted to be hosting what will be an absolutely amazing concert. Although we’ve welcomed several world leaders, including Bill Clinton, in the past, a concert of this calibre will be a first for us.

“Apart from being wonderful news for the region’s music-lovers, it will also support our charitable work for farming and rural communities across the north of England.”

Tickets went on sale from 10am today, with reserved seats costing £55 and £80, and premium tickets also available.

To book, phone 0844 581 1317 or 0844 847 2441 or log on to theticketfactory.com and ticketmaster.co.uk Hospitality packages are available by phoning 01423 563563 or emailing info@templeroberts. co.uk Van Morrison’s Barbican gig is on Sunday, February 12, and tickets, costing between £45 and £75, are available by phoning 0844 854 2757, visiting yorkbarbican.co.uk or from the venue’s box office.

Meanwhile, Eighties party band Black Lace will perform at Bar Salvation in Rougier Street on Monday at the first of the venue’s three Christmas party nights.

They are aimed at over-30s, but younger music fans are also welcome and doors open at 9pm, with entry being free before 10pm and £3 afterwards with special flyers.